176 THE DRAMA OF THE FORESTS 



dogs howled, and the brigade moved forward in single file. 

 At the head went the Factor's train of four powerful-looking and 

 handsomely harnessed dogs hauling a decorated carriole in 

 which the Factor rode and behind which trotted a picturesque 

 half-breed driver. Next in order went the teams of the Church 

 of England clergyman and the Roman Catholic priest, both of 

 whom happened to be going out to the railroad. Behind these 

 followed twelve sleds or toboggans, laden with furs, which the 

 Hudson's Bay Company was shipping to its Department 

 Headquarters. When one remembers that black or silver fox 

 skins are frequently sold for over a thousand dollars each, one 

 may surmise the great value of a cargo of furs weighing nearly 

 four thousand pounds, such as the Dog Brigade was hauling. 

 No wonder the Company was using all haste to place 

 those furs on the London market before the then high prices 

 fell. 



The brigade formed an interesting sight, as the Indians, 

 half-breeds, and white men were garbed most curiously; and in 

 strong contrast to the brilliant colours worn by the members 

 of the brigade, the clergymen trotted along in their sombre 

 black — the priest's cassock flowing to his snowshoes, and his 

 crucifix thrust, daggerlike, in his girdle. 



The four dogs comprising each of the fur-trains hauled 

 three hundred pounds of fur besides the camp outfit and grub 

 for both driver and dogs — in all, about five hundred pounds to 

 the sled. When the sleighing grew heavy, the drivers used 

 long pushing-poles against the ends of the sleds to help the 

 dogs. 



TRAVELLING WITH DOG-TRAINS 



While the march always started in a stately way — the Fac- 

 tor's carriole in advance — it was not long before the trains 

 abandoned their formal order; for whenever one train was 

 delayed through any one of many reasons, the train behind 



